If there’s one nation that LOVES its freight trains, it’s the USA. With new American content arriving in Train Sim World 3 on February 21st, both these and passenger trains are covered in two separate Bundles for new and existing players to enjoy.

If American Passenger Trains are more your thing, keep an eye out for another article dropping later this week with some juicy details on that content. And if this is the first you’ve heard of new American content coming, make sure you get the ‘411’ by reading our overview, with details on new and upgraded routes and locomotives.

Fans of Fallen Flag Railroads will soon have the six Union Pacific Heritage Collection locomotives to operate across six Scenarios in an upgraded version of the Sherman Hill route Add-on (more on that below).

This fleet of SD70ACe locomotives, unveiled across 2005 and 2006, commemorate some of the iconic railroads that once graced America before being merged. Union Pacific has over 600 SD70ACe locomotives in its fleet with most featuring the standard yellow livery, making these six a real treat for railfans to spot. You’ll also be able to railfan in-game with a very small percentage chance of these appearing in regular scheduled services!

The tribute to the Missouri Pacific Railroad, or ‘Mo-Pac’ is a combination of this railroad’s liveries from two distinct eras: the 1940s and 1960s, and mixes the different emblems and hues of blue used during these time periods. Though part of the heritage fleet, these locomotives can be used just like any other! And in “Heritage Help Out”, 1982 joins up with 1988 to go and rescue failed traction at Granite Canyon.

The colours of locomotive 1983 depict both the silver and orange paint used on passenger trains during the late 1940s and the green and orange used as part of its final colour schemes in the 1970s. As its name suggests the railroad operated in the west through California, Nevada and Utah. 1983 sees both the high glamor and hard graft of railroad work in Train Sim World 3, being used in Scenarios recreating a photoshoot and a coal shipment with some of its heritage fleet compatriots.

“She caught ‘the Katy’ and left me a mule to ride.” is what ‘Joliet’ Jake Blues sang in the 1980 cult classic film The Blues Brothers, but the song actually dates back to 1968. ‘The Katy’ is the nickname for the Missouri-Kansas-Texas Railroad which operated from 1865 – 1988, covering almost 4,000 miles of track before it merged with Union Pacific. Locomotive 1988, which commemorates ‘The Katy’ joins forces with 1982 again in the “Dust or Bust” Scenario running from Granite Canyon to Laramie.

The jagged black graphics on 1989 are an apt depiction of the mountainous terrain encountered by those familiar with the Rio Grande and work well with the historic colours that commemorate the Denver & Rio Grande Western. This locomotive forms part of “The Gathering” Scenario and works the coal shipment with others in “Dust or Bust”.

Chicago is often termed ‘the railroading capital of America’ and it was here in 2006 that locomotive 1995 was unveiled as part of the heritage fleet in its stunning green and yellow livery. Its number matches the year that this historic railroad merged with Union Pacific. This locomotive and its next-in-line 1996 team up to operate reefers between Laramie to Cheyenne in the “Hot Shot” Scenario.

Like 1995, 1996 is numbered to coincide with the year that its fallen flag, the Southern Pacific, merged with Union Pacific and was the final locomotive to be unveiled as part of the six commemorative Heritage fleet members. As well as “Hot Shot”, this unit poses for the cameras with 1983 and 1982 in the “Circle of Celebration” Scenario.

Union Pacific Heritage Collection will be available to purchase as a locomotives Add-on for the Sherman Hill route Add-on from February 21st for £9.99/€11.99/$14.99 or can be pre-ordered on Steam now as part of the Train Sim World 3: US Freight Bundle, which includes Sherman Hill, Training Center and Cajon Pass.

The setting for these Scenarios is the previously released Sherman Hill: Cheyenne – Laramie route Add-on. Volumetric skies and changeable weather conditions are part of the improvements made with the upgraded version of this popular route, which comes free for Train Sim World 3 players that own the route as Train Sim World Compatible content.

Train Sim World 2 players that own this route can gain the upgraded version for free when purchasing any Train Sim World 3 Bundle or Starter Pack.

The route takes players though part of the Transcontinental Railroad, by the Rocky Mountains and past the historic Roundhouse at Cheyenne, where much of Union Pacific’s real-life heritage operations take place. A variety of rolling stock can be hauled by the SD70ACe and SD40-2 locomotives, including consists formed by the 60‘ Boxcar, Reefer Car, Autorack, 3-Bay Covered Hopper, Tank Car, Bethgon II Hopper and Gunderson Husky Stack freight cars.

Sherman Hill: Cheyenne – Laramie (Upgraded) will be available as an individual route Add-on from February 21st for £24.99/€29.99/$29.99, or can be pre-ordered on Steam now as part of the Train Sim World 3: US Freight Bundle (details further down).

Players making use of the Train Sim World 3: US Freight Bundle will also receive Cajon Pass: Barstow – San Bernadino, which marked one of the first routes available for Train Sim World 3. This 85 mile route, set in California, recreates a location popular with railfans and tourists alike, hosting a number of vantage points perfect for photographing mile-long freight trains not far from the historic Route 66.

BNSF’s fleet of ES44C4 and SD40-2 locomotives operate through the desert in all weathers, from snow (yes, California gets snow!) to dramatic storms and baking heat.

Cajon Pass: Barstow – San Bernadino is also available as a separate Train Sim World 3 route Add-on for £29.99/€35.99/$39.99.

Get Cajon Pass, Sherman Hill (Upgraded), Union Pacific Heritage Collection and Training Center with Train Sim World 3: US Freight Bundle, available for £44.99/€49.99/$49.99.

Train Sim World 3 players that want even more American freight to operate can look back through the Train Sim World Compatible back catalogue and purchase additional route and locomotive Add-ons. These routes feature locomotives from a selection of familiar US railroads, including Santa Fe and CSX:

As well as, for fans across the border in nearby Canada, Train Sim World Compatible: Canadian National Oakville Subdivision featuring Canadian National’s GP9RM and GP38-2 locomotives operating between Hamilton and Oakville, Ontario.

Join the Railfan TV team for a Preview Stream covering both US Freight and Passenger content on Twitch, YouTube, or Facebook on Monday 20th February, at 7:00pm UTC (11:00am PST / 12:00pm MST / 1:00pm CST / 2:00pm EST / 8:00pm CET).